The race for automatic promotion to the Premier League is set to go down to the wire, after Middlesbrough returned to the top of the Championship by coming back from a goal down to claim a thrilling 2-2 draw with Birmingham City at St Andrew's on Friday.

Stephen Gleeson opened the scoring for Birmingham just after half an hour before Jordan Rhodes levelled five minutes before the break.

Middlesbrough, who arrived in the Midlands unbeaten in their last eight league games, then took the lead through Gaston Ramirez's effort from point-blank range on 57 minutes, before David Davis pounced on a poor clearance to restore parity 11 minutes later.

But the game's biggest talking point arrived just moments later when Ayala had a goal disallowed for offside, despite replays suggesting the goal should have stood.

The result leaves Middlebrough one point clear at the top of the table, with a win over Brighton at the Riverside on the last day of the season enough to seal a return to the Premier League after a seven-year absence.

Nevertheless, many Boro fans were left unimpressed by assistant referee Tom Nield's performance during a largely frustrating evening.

Still struggling to articulate how angry I currently feel! Still in our own hands #UTB

Tom Coleman

Leeds-based writer whose rebellious passion for football still disappoints his rugby-mad parents. Other appearances include Goal.com and Guardian Sport. Once pocket-called Dean Holdsworth on a night out. Specialises in the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A but has always had a soft spot for a German terrace. Aside from football, he's also a big fan of cricket, rugby league, Formula One, tennis and snooker.